Mangalore Diocese to organise campaign against suicide

Mangaluru: Catholic Diocese of Mangalore, under Bishop Most Rev Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, is serving society with unique campaigns. Through the Laudato Si campaign, saplings are planted in 124 parishes, spread out in the Dakshina Kannada and Kasargod districts on a regular basis every year, and monitored through the Church’s administrative structures.

This year is proclaimed as “Year of Life-2020” in the Mangalore Diocese with the tagline- “Human life is precious, care and protect it”.

On the occasion of the year of life, the Laudato Si committee of the Mangalore Diocese is organizing a campaign against suicide on March 1 in all the parishes of the Diocese. This unique campaign is organized as below;

1. Sunday Mass and prayers: On March 1, Holy Mass will be offered, with relevant homily and prayers in all the churches of the Mangalore Diocese, spread out across the Dakshina Kannada and Kasargod districts.

2. Pledge: All the people will take a pledge that they will face any life-threatening situation bravely rather than thinking of suicide cowardly. People will also pledge to help any person with suicidal tendencies to overcome the negative thoughts by accompaniment, giving positive strokes and arranging counselling.

3. Handbills: Over 1 lakh handbills, containing information in English and Kannada about educating and helping people to protect human life, will be distributed to all people on the day to create awareness about the campaign.

4. Seminars and Workshops: A call is given to all the parishes to organize seminars/workshop, awareness programmes on the issue in Parish level and involve people of all religions. A team of 50 resource persons who are qualified in this field will conduct the programmes.

5. Helpline Support: The organizers of the campaign are provided with existing Toll-Free Helpline Number to prevent suicide. People with suicidal tendencies can call 0824-2983444 (24×7) for help.

6. Yellow Ribbon: Over a lakh yellow ribbons will be distributed by the committee. All those who are joining in the campaign will be wearing a Yellow Ribbon on the dress provided by the organizers on March 2 during the whole day, wherever they are to create awareness against suicide.

7. Happy Face Photo Contest: To attract the youth and others a “Happy Face Photo contest” is organized for the public. Any person above 12 years of age can participate in this contest by sending a Bust size photo (Face only) either a selfie or photograph of oneself to this WhatsApp Number 7090449999 before 30-04-2020. The best and happiest face of a man and a woman will be awarded Rs 10000 each. The results will be announced before May 15.